Now that I'm a homeschooling mama of three, I'm amazed that I manage to read as many books as I do, but a few hours spent reading each week--mostly at night--add up to a lot of joy and learning! Last year I shared my planned reading list for 2014, but not all of the books turned out to be titles I'd recommend. In contrast, this January I'm sharing non-fiction books with you that I've read over the past year and found fascinating. These aren't parenting- or French-related books, but they'll make you a more informed parent and enlarge your understanding of life:

The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes--and Why by Amanda Ripley: This book is not as morbid as it sounds; instead, it's fascinating and incredibly informative. You'll never think of fires or crowds the same way again--and reading this will probably help you save the lives of others at some point in your life.

Without You, There Is No Us: My Time With the Sons Of North Korea's Elite by Suki Kim: This is a very recently released memoir of a young American teacher's time spent teaching college-age boys in North Korea. What she shares about life in North Korea is rare and eye-opening information.

Kaffir Boy by Mark Mathabane: Mark recounts his surreal childhood in apartheid South Africa and his unlikely escape from poverty. Like Suki Kim's book mentioned above, this book teaches you as much about freedom as it does about injustice and oppression.

Global Mom: A Memoir: Melissa's story of raising her family in eight countries resonated with me so strongly that I feel like her stories have become memories of my own. I interviewed Melissa in a blog post here and I consider her a friend even if we have yet to meet in person.

True Spirit by Jessica Watson: A sixteen-year-old girl recounts her experience circumnavigating the globe on her 33-foot-sailboat. This book isn't expertly written, but you'll come away with a lot of respect for where determination and preparation can take you.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand: Louis's life story is unbelievably riveting, and I'm grateful that Laura shared it with such skill. I have yet to see the film, but I know it doesn't continue as far as the book and it simply can't rival this written version.

What is the last non-fiction book you read and loved? Tell me in a comment!

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